ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Mississippi’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 9.1 percent in May, and the state was tied with Illinois for the second-highest jobless rate in the nation.

Figures were released today by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Mississippi unemployment rate was 9.2 percent in April and 9.4 percent in March.

Nevada had the highest unemployment rate among the states in May, at 9.5 percent. The next highest rates were in Illinois and Mississippi, 9.1 percent each. North Dakota again had the lowest jobless rate, 3.2 percent.

Mississippi had a decrease of around 7,000 people in its labor force in May. The state reported almost 119,500 unemployed people during the month.

The unemployment rate is calculated by a survey that asks how many people are looking for a job.